Softwr

Game Development · head to head

AppGameKit vs Construct 3

AppGameKit logo

AppGameKit

Game Development

Create cross-platform 2D games and apps

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Construct 3 logo

Construct 3

Game Development

Create games without coding. Powered by the Scirra engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: AppGameKit exports to Windows, iOS and Android only, so there is no macOS, Linux or console target; Construct 3 the free version caps projects at 50 events, or 25 when used without an account
  • They diverge on capability: AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, Construct 3 covers Visual event system.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AppGameKit and Construct 3 actually diverge.

Attributes where AppGameKit and Construct 3 differ
AttributeAppGameKitConstruct 3
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, TvosWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web
Founded20042007

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Game Development).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in AppGameKit

  • BASIC-like scripting
  • Visual sprite editor
  • Sound and music
  • Tile support
  • Multi-platform export
  • Built-in debugger
  • Visual Studio Code
  • Code compilation

Only in Construct 3

  • Visual event system
  • Drag-and-drop editor
  • Sprite editor
  • Sound effects
  • Web-based
  • HTML5 support
  • Dropbox
  • Google Play

Both cover

  • Physics engine
  • Particle effects
  • GitHub
  • Local deployment
  • Mobile deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

AppGameKit

  • 2D and 3D game development from a single codebasenot Construct 3
  • Cross-platform mobile game builds for iOS and Androidnot Construct 3
  • Learning game programming in a BASIC-derived languagenot Construct 3
  • Prototyping small games quicklynot Construct 3

Construct 3

  • Building 2D browser games without writing codenot AppGameKit
  • Publishing HTML5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one projectnot AppGameKit

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

AppGameKit

  • Exports to Windows, iOS and Android only, so there is no macOS, Linux or console target
  • The price is not shown on the product page and the product is sold through Steam
  • The vendor describes it as their last outing for traditional programming languages before AI-driven development, which is a poor signal for long-term support
  • appgamekit.com now redirects into the darkbasic.com site

Construct 3

  • The free version caps projects at 50 events, or 25 when used without an account
  • Free projects are limited to 2 layers, 2 special effects, 1 timeline animation of up to 5 seconds and 1 web font
  • The free version can only publish to HTML5 and the Construct Arcade, so desktop, Android, iOS and Facebook Instant Games all need a paid plan
  • Licences are per seat and annual, at $129.99 for Personal, $168.99 for Startup Business and $468.99 for Business

Pricing, plan by plan

AppGameKit

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full editor
    • Multi-platform export
    • Built-in IDE

Construct 3

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Web-based editor
    • HTML5 export
    • Asset library
  • Personal$99/year
    • All Free features
    • Offline editor
    • Advanced export

Which should you pick?

Choose AppGameKit if

  • You need basic-like scripting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos.
  • You also want visual sprite editor.
AppGameKit review

Choose Construct 3 if

  • You need visual event system.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want drag-and-drop editor.
Construct 3 review

Questions people ask

Is AppGameKit or Construct 3 better?
Neither clearly leads. AppGameKit starts at Free and Construct 3 at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AppGameKit or Construct 3?
AppGameKit starts at Free and Construct 3 at Free.
Does AppGameKit or Construct 3 run on more platforms?
AppGameKit runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Tvos. Construct 3 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
Can I use AppGameKit for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is AppGameKit best used for?
AppGameKit is most often used for 2d and 3d game development from a single codebase, cross-platform mobile game builds for ios and android, learning game programming in a basic-derived language, prototyping small games quickly. Of those, 2d and 3d game development from a single codebase and cross-platform mobile game builds for ios and android are not what Construct 3 is typically brought in for.
What can AppGameKit do that Construct 3 cannot?
AppGameKit covers BASIC-like scripting, Visual sprite editor, Sound and music, Tile support. Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Drag-and-drop editor, Sprite editor, Sound effects. Both handle Physics engine, Particle effects, GitHub, Local deployment.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on AppGameKit

More on Construct 3

Keep looking

Other head to heads